Furcal tries comeback with double-A team

Former All-Star shortstop Rafael Furcal has joined the double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals as he tries a comeback.

Furcal, 37, last played in the major leagues in June 2014 as a second baseman for Miami. He was a three-time National League All-Star shortstop, most recently in 2012 when he played for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the National League rookie of the year in 2000 with the Atlanta Braves and played with the Dodgers from 2006 to 2010.

Northwest Arkansas is a Kansas City Royals farm team in the Texas League. Etc.

Braves left-hander Mike Minor will miss the rest of the season after shoulder surgery. Minor had not pitched this season. The 27year-old was sidelined after experiencing soreness in spring training and went on the disabled list April 5 with what was described as shoulder inflammation. Once viewed as a key member of the Braves’ young rotation, Minor was bothered by shoulder problems several times last season. He slumped to 6-12 with a 4.77 earned-run average in 25 starts.

The Cardinals put outfielder Jon Jay on the 15-day disabled list because of tendinitis in his left wrist and recalled outfielder/first baseman Xavier Scruggs from triple-A Memphis to fill Jay’s roster spot. ... Right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa has been activated from the 15-day disabled list, setting the stage for the reliever’s debut with the Texas Rangers. Fujikawa, 34, signed as a free agent last winter and went on the disabled list before the season because of a right groin strain. ... The Boston Red Sox put right-handed starter Justin Masterson on the 15-day disabled list and recalled left-handed reliever Robbie Ross Jr.